Messenger photo by Britt Kudla: Iowa Central's Noemia Chiacchio scores a point against DMACC on Thursday inside Hodges Fieldhouse. For more photos, please visit CU.messengernews.net

Some simple advice from assistant coach Gabby Marker helped the Iowa Central volleyball team score a key four-set victory over Des Moines Area here Thursday night inside Hodges Fieldhouse.

Scores were 25-21, 16-25, 25-19 and 25-20.

With the 19th-ranked Bears gaining momentum, ICCC head coach Sara Horn decided to listen to Marker, her former standout player. The move paid off, as the No. 8 Tritons went on a key run that ultimately led to the victory.

“All the credit goes to one person for the turnaround and that is Gabby,” Horn said. “Sometimes as coaches, you can get too technical. I tried something different and it wasn’t working. Gabby noticed and we switched back. Having a comfort in what you are trying to do is more important than trying to do something else.

“The team really responded and it all snowballed from there.”

After splitting the first two sets, DMACC was leading 10-6 in the third when the Tritons (18-2 overall, 4-1 in ICCAC) went on a 10-2 run to take a 15-12 advantage. That rally continued through the remainder of the pivotal set as former Manson Northwest Webster standout Emily Goodner had a pair of kills and her ex-Cougar teammate Olivia Sturgis added another during the final four points.

Noemia Chiacchio, who has picked up conference and national player of the week honors this year, led Iowa Central with 15 kills. She also had 17 digs and three ace serves.

Goodner and Emma Bilhimer each finished with 11 kills while Araya Garrison added nine and Sturgis six. Mya McClain, a St. Edmond grad, had 24 digs and three assists, Mercedes Madlock finished with 47 assists, 14 digs and two kills, and Fort Dodge Senior High grad Alexis Hiracheta added four digs.

Prior to the start of the match, Madlock was honored for surpassing 2,000 career assists.

Olivia Benson matched Chiacchio with three aces as Iowa Central finished with eight on the night. Benson also had seven digs with Bilhimer recording nine digs.

Madlock and Garrison each tallied three block assists.

The Tritons have now won eight straight matches since a loss to sixth-rated Kirkwood earlier this month. They have dropped just three sets during that run and are 8-1 at home.

Changes were made to the postseason format this year, as there will be just one regional tournament with the winner advancing to nationals. Four wild-card bids will go out to complete the national field.

“Every match is so important this season,” Horn said. “DMACC has been playing well so this was a big one to get.”

Iowa Central is now off until Wednesday when they travel to Marshalltown.